Portable runners starting block

ABSTRACT

A lightweight runners starting block assembly with adjustable positions for the foot blocks and adjustable angles for the foot plates is disclosed. The position of the foot blocks can be adjusted by selecting from a series of holes in the central tie bar. The tilt angles of the foot plates can be adjusted by selecting from one of several notches in the brace arms. The foot blocks can be easily removed from the central tie bar and folded flat so that the three parts can be stored in a small bag for convenient portability.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to equipment used by runners to get a good startin a sprint race. Initially starting blocks were developed for dirttracks with large spikes driven into the dirt to keep them fromslipping. Starting blocks generally evolved into assemblies with acentral rail and a moveable block attached to each side as in U.S. Pat.No. 3,494,615 by G. L. Moore. With the advent of synthetic tracksurfaces starting blocks generally used shorter spikes to avoid damagingthe track surface and often provided tilt angle adjustments for eachfoot block as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,803 by Newton, Jr. More recently,portable starting blocks small enough and light enough to beconveniently carried in a runners equipment bag have been developed forsynthetic track surfaces. These are seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,319 byYoung and U.S. Pat. No. 6,342,029 by Richards.

Related U.S. Patent Documents

3,494,615 February, 1970 G. L. Moore 4,089,519 May, 1978 Newton, Jr.482/19 4,561,650 December, 1985 Newton, Jr. 482/19 4,611,803 September,1986 Newton, Jr. 482/19 4,754,965 July, 1988 Moye 482/19 5,342,259August, 1994 Crichton 482/19 6,238,319 May, 2001 Young 482/19 6,342,029January, 2002 Richards 482/19

The earlier blocks with the central rail have the disadvantage of beingheavy and too large to fit into a runner's equipment bag. They alsogenerally allow some flat surfaces to rest on the track whichcontributes to slippage during the start of a race. The more recentportable blocks have the disadvantage of being difficult to position onthe track because they are two completely separate foot blocks and haveto be positioned separately. Powerful sprinters often displace the backfoot block when starting. Since it is not attached to the front footblock in any way, it has to be repositioned after each such start. Thisis a significant disadvantage when doing repeat training starts orwarmup starts for a race.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

This invention provides a truly portable starting block with a centraltie bar that makes it easy to position the assembly on the track. Thetie bar also prevents the displacement of the back foot block so that itis never necessary to reposition it after a start. The only part of theentire assembly to touch the track are the spikes which are placeddirectly under and behind the sprinter's feet. This arrangement insuresthe securest possible anchorage to the track and eliminates slippageproblems.

The longitudinal separation of the foot blocks is accomplished bychoosing from a series of holes in the tie bar when connecting the footblocks to the tie bar. The tilt angle of the each foot plate isadjustable by selecting from a series on notches in the brace arm thatsecures the angle between the front and back plates of each foot block.

Each foot block is easily removed from the tie bar and folded flat sothat the three pieces can be stored in a small bag and easily carried ina runner's equipment bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. Side view of entire starting block assembly.

FIG. 2. Top view of entire starting block assembly.

FIG. 3. Side view of folded front foot block.

FIG. 4. Side view of folded back foot block.

FIG. 5. Side view of tie bar.

FIG. 6. End view of tie bar.

FIG. 7. View of back plate (Typical) showing opening and dowel pin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the profile of the assembled block in a startingconfiguration. This view shows the brace arms 6 which select and securethe tilt angle of the front plates 1 & 12. The brace arms are hinged ata dowel pin 7 attached to the front plates 1 & 12 of each foot block andslide through an opening 5 in the back plates 3 & 13 (See FIG. 3). Thefront and back plates are hinged at the top by a hollow pin 4 allowingfor angle adjustments and folding flat. Any of the several notches 8provided in the bottom edge of the brace arm 6 can be dropped over adowel pin 9 imbedded in each back plate 3 & 13. Each notch selects adifferent tilt angle for the foot plate and secures that angle forpowerful starts. The spikes 11 are the only part of the assembly thattouches the track surface. The front foot block and the back foot blockare essentially the same, except for the round rods 10 & 14 used toconnect the foot blocks to the tie bar 15.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the assembled block in a starting configuration.The front foot block has a round rod 10 attached to its back plate 3near the base. The back foot block has a round rod 14 attached to itsfront plate 12 near the base. These bars protrude on both sides of thefoot blocks and can be inserted in any of a series of holes 18 in thetie bar 15 from either side so as to allow the sprinter to have eitherfoot in the forward position. The round bars 10 & 14 are secured in thetie bar 15 by a tightening screw and knob 16 that is threaded through atightening bar 17. A rubber pad 2 is glued to the front surface of thecurved front plates 1 & 12 to provide a secure footing for the sprinter.

FIGS. 3, 4 & 5 show the three parts of the assembly in a compactconfiguration. The brace arms 6 are rotated down, and each foot block isfolded flat (FIGS. 3 & 4). The two flat foot blocks along with the tiebar (FIG. 5) are shown ready for storage.

1. A lightweight portable runner's starting block assembly consisting ofthree parts; a front foot block, a back foot block and a central tiebar.
 2. A starting block assembly according to claim 1, wherein saidcentral tie bar does not touch the track surface and holds the two footblocks in the desired relative position to each other. The desired frontto back separation of the two foot blocks is selected by choosing from anumber of holes in the tie bar in which to engage the front block andthe back block. The foot blocks can be inserted into the tie bar fromeither side so the sprinter can have either foot forward. The engagementof the foot blocks is secured by a tightening screw and a tighteningbar.
 3. A starting block assembly according to claim 1, wherein saidfoot blocks are hinged at the top and secured in position by a notchedbrace arm. The tilt angle of the front plate of each foot block can beadjusted by selecting from one of several notches in the brace arm.
 4. Astarting block assembly according to claim 1, wherein the entireassembly can be easily separated into its three parts. The two footblocks can be folded flat so that the three parts can be easily placedin a small bag for convenient storage and portability.